Thursday, June 30, 2016

Union County Regulated Fire Season Begins July 1

Union County’s annual regulated fire season begins July 1 running through September 30. During regulated fire season no open burning is allowed on all lands within the county. The ordinance does not apply to agricultural field burning and does not regulate burning within city limits. The use of incinerators and burn barrels is allowed between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and recreational fires are regulated as a part of the burn ordinance. Detailed burn ordinance information including burn barrel and recreational fire regulations can be found at: Union County Burn Ordinance 2016-01.

Approximately half of wildland urban interface wildfires are human caused. With the current hot weather, conditions will grow increasingly dry and conducive to wildfire ignition. Citizens are advised to use extreme caution. If conditions warrant, the Board of Commissioners in consultation with local fire Chiefs may implement a total burn ban during the fire season. Citizens under Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) fire protection should check with ODF for the latest regulations and closures. Information on current ODF and Forest Service fire regulations and closure can be found at http://bmidc.org/restrictions.shtml.

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Thursday, June 30th BMIDC Morning Briefing

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Thursday, June 30th, 2016
BMIDC's Website
6/29 (NEW) INTITAL ATTACK
Fires
Acres
Umatilla National Forest
0
0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest
2
1.2
Vale District BLM Baker Area
0
0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry
0
0
WA DNR Snake River Unit
0
0
BIA Umatilla
0
0
Total
2
1.2
INCIDENT SUMMARY
6/29
Inc. 0340 (OHV) S. of Sumpter. Resources on scene and continue to mom up. Fire contained 6/29 @ 23:07. Burning in grass and timber.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

6.29.16 BMIDC Morning Briefing

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Wednesday, June 29th, 2016
BMIDC's Website
6/28 (NEW) INTITAL ATTACK
Fires
Acres
Umatilla National Forest
0
0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest
0
0
Vale District BLM Baker Area
0
0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry
0
0
WA DNR Snake River Unit
0
0
BIA Umatilla
0
0
Total
0
0
INCIDENT SUMMARY
6/28
No new incidents

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

July 4th Weekend Reminder

Pendleton, Oregon: As you make plans to celebrate America’s independence please remember that fireworks and forests don’t mix. Whether you’re planning to spend the weekend camping at your favorite campground or enjoying one of several back-country trails or scenic drives, one message remains consistent: LEAVE YOUR FIREWORKS AT HOME!

Forest regulations prohibit possessing, discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, including sparklers and smoke bombs, on National Forest lands. Violators will be fined and, if found responsible for starting a forest fire, can be held liable for costly fire suppression expenses. Also, forest fuels will dry out quickly so please be careful with campfires, cigarettes, and chainsaws.

For more information about the current status of forest campgrounds, trails and roads for the holiday weekend please contact the Umatilla National Forest offices or visit the website at: www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.

Supervisor’s Officer Pendleton, OR (541) 278-3716

Heppner Ranger District Heppner, OR (541) 676-9187

North Fork John Day District Ukiah, OR (541) 427-3231

Pomeroy Ranger District Pomeroy, WA (509) 843-1891

Walla Walla Ranger District Walla Walla, WA (509) 522-6290

-USDA-FS
BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Tuesday, June 28th, 2016
BMIDC's Website
6/27 (NEW) INTITAL ATTACK
Fires
Acres
Umatilla National Forest


Wallowa Whitman National Forest
1
.6
Vale District BLM Baker Area


NEO Oregon Department of Forestry


WA DNR Snake River Unit


BIA Umatilla


Total


INCIDENT SUMMARY
6/27
Incident 325: WWF (Granite) .6 acres. Fire Contained @ 17:45. Cause Undetermined

Thursday, June 23, 2016

ONSET OF SUMMER WEATHER KICKS OFF FIRE SEASON IN NORTHEAST OREGON

Spring moisture has helped drought conditions ease in Northeast Oregon.  However, the forecast is calling for hotter and dryer weather over the next few days.  This weather forecast has prompted Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) fire managers to declare FIRE SEASON beginning at 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, June 28 for forest and range lands protected by ODF Northeast Oregon District.  “Spring moisture is always great, but now we have stands of tall grass.  Those fine fuels are what really dries out fast and can carry a fire in the early part of the season.”  Matt Howard, Unit Forester for Wallowa said.  A fire season declaration places fire prevention restrictions on landowners and public.  Additionally, fire prevention regulations on industrial logging and forest management activities are put into place.  Lands affected include private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands in Union, Baker, Wallowa, and Umatilla counties along with small portions of Malheur, Morrow and Grant counties within the Northeast Oregon Forest Protection District.  This area encompasses approximately 2 million protected acres.  Landowners and recreationists are urged to use caution in areas of dry, cured vegetation.  Howard states “The grass is really tall in some areas.  While the drought conditions aren’t as severe as they might have been last year at this time, we are still asking people who work, play and live in the forest to use caution and prevent fires.”

During Fire Season:

·          Burn Permits for burn barrels and all open burning except camp fires are required on all private forest and range lands within the Northeast Forest Protection District of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).  Contact your local ODF office in La Grande, Baker City, Wallowa, or Pendleton to acquire a Burn Permit.
·          Landowners who conducted burning of slash piles last fall and this past spring are encouraged to check the piles to ensure that they are completely out and all heat is gone.   It is not uncommon for recently burned slash piles to retain heat in them for several months after the actual burning of the piles. 
·          Logging and other industrial operations must meet requirements for fire prevention, such as fire tools, water supply, and watchman service when those operations are occurring on lands protected by ODF.  Contact your local Stewardship Forester at any ODF office for more information.
·          Campfires must be DEAD OUT!  Recreationists are reminded that campfires need to be attended and fully extinguished before being left.  Get permission from the landowner prior to starting a campfire. 

For further information, contact the Oregon Department of Forestry at these local offices:
               La Grande Unit                  (541) 963-3168
               Baker City Sub-Unit         (541) 523-5831
               Wallowa Unit                     (541) 886-2881
               Pendleton Unit                   (541) 276-3491

To report a fire, dial 9-1-1. 

For information on the weekends call:
                Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center    La Grande        (541) 963-7171

Please check with your local Forest Service office for fire regulations on National Forest land.  Information on Public-Use Restrictions on the Oregon Department of Forestry, Umatilla National Forest and Wallowa Whitman National Forest can be found at http://bmidc.org/index.shtml under Current Information: Fire Restrictions.

http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/ is your spot for current fire information in the Blue Mountains. 

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Thursday, June 2, 2016

News Release: Fire Managers Encourage Checking Slash Piles

Warm and dry  weather  is  on its way  to Northeast  Oregon.   Fire  conditions  are  moderate  at this time, however this weekend’s forecast is calling  for a  Red  Flag  warning  for  windy  conditions with low relative humidity  in the Columbia Basin.  A Red  Flag  warning  is issued when weather conditions are  ideal for wildland fire  combustion and rapid rates of spread.

Landowners that burned  slash piles over the  winter and spring  are  encouraged to check those  piles  for heat  and smoke.  Slash burning  is a  common way  to dispose of  residue left  from forest management operations.  Slash piles can burn deep in the  soil and return to life  when  weather  conditions are  favorable for ignition.  As warm and dry conditions persist, this issue can be a cause of concern for fire managers.  

“The  weather  conditions that are  headed our way  are  exactly  the kind of  conditions where  smoke  and heat will present itself from old slash burns.”   Matt  Howard, Unit  Forester,  Wallowa.   “If  you burned slash this winter or  spring, it’s a  good idea  to check  your piles and make  sure  you aren’t  going  to have  a problem as the weather turns to the summer pattern.”

Fire  managers  are  also encouraging  landowners to  use  caution while conducting  spring  cleaning activities around  their  property.   Each  year, several fires throughout the  state are  started by  wellintentioned landowners.   Improper use  of power driven equipment ranks number  2 as the cause  of wildfires on ODF  protected lands.  Check the  current fire  restrictions  with your local Oregon Department of Forestry office to learn if there are any current restrictions or regulations.  

http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/  is  your  spot  for  current  fire  information in the Blue Mountains.  

To report a fire, call Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch at (541)963-7171 or dial 9-1-1.  
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Wednesday, June 1, 2016

News Release: Forest Officials take a Preventative Approach to Campfire Safety

 Forest Officials take a Preventative Approach to Campfire Safety


JOHN DAY, PENDLETON, and BAKER CITY, OREGON – Forest officials for the Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests announce seasonal safety regulations for building campfires when recreating on the three national forests. 

Campfires will continue to be the centerpiece of family campsites across the three national forests; however beginning June 1, when building a campfire, visitors are required to build their campfire in a fire pit surrounded by dirt, rock, or commercial rings, in areas cleared of all flammable material within a three-foot radius from the edge of the pit and free of overhanging material. A shovel and one gallon of water are required to be in your possession while building and tending campfires.  These requirements also apply to the use of charcoal briquettes.

Forest managers understand campfires are an important part of the outdoor camping experience.  “The intent is to allow campfire use while promoting safe campfire building techniques that, in the long run, will protect lives, property, and our natural landscapes,” said Brian Goff, Umatilla Fire Management Officer. 
The seasonal regulation does not prohibit the use of campfires, when conditions permit; it only designates proper conditions for safe campfires. The June 1 date for campfire safety regulations in dispersed and developed campsites is meant to encourage campfire safety before fire season comes full-swing.

“There’s a long history of wildfire in the Blue Mountains and we do not expect that to change.  This summer will be particularly challenging,” added Goff.  Though lightning is the number one cause of wildfires in this area, human-caused wildfires are preventable, unpredictable and can occur anywhere with no warning.
 
“Historically, the public has practiced safe campfire techniques and it is much appreciated,” shared Bret Ruby, Wallowa-Whitman Fire Management Officer.  “However, the potential for large human-caused wildfires still exists,” added Ruby.
 
Seasonal campfire regulations are in effect June 1 through October 31, unless more restrictive measures are warranted.  During times of high or extreme fire danger, forests will implement additional Public Use Restrictions, also known as PURs, which will further restrict the use of campfires, chainsaws, smoking, and travel.  PURs will be implemented in phases, based on increased fire danger, hot and dry weather conditions, and concern for public safety. “We get very busy at this time of year dealing with the numerous lightning caused fires, so preventing the added workload from human caused wildfires is our ultimate goal,” said Roy Walker, Malheur Fire Management Officer. 
 
Forest officials recommend the following campfire safety precautions:
·         Always abide by local campfire laws.
·         Only adults should build and maintain campfires.
·         Find a shady spot away from dry logs, overhanging branches, bushes, needles, or leaves.
·         Use existing fire-rings where it is safe to do so. Don’t build fire-rings in roads.
·         Keep campfire rings small and use wood no bigger than the ring.
·         Keep tents and other burnable materials away from the fire.
·         Never leave a campfire unattended.  Those leaving campfires unattended can be billed for the cost of fire suppression.
·         Drown the campfire with water and stir charred material.
·         When leaving, make sure your fire is DEAD OUT. Very carefully feel all sticks and charred remains. Make sure no roots are smoldering. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave.
Find more campfire safety information at http://www.smokeybear.com/campfire-safety.asp.

For more information on public use restrictions, contact your local Forest Service office or visit our websites:

Umatilla National Forest:
·         Information Hotline: Toll-Free (877) 958-9663
·         www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF
·         Twitter: @UmatillaNF

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest:
·         Information Hotlines: Baker City (541) 523-1234; La Grande (541) 962-8679; Joseph (541) 426-5552
·         Twitter: @WallowaWhitman

Malheur National Forest:
·         Information Hotline: John Day (541) 575-3000
·         Twitter: @MalheurNF


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